jamis

For me.. it was actually the opposite... My diet/weightloss inspired me to start with martial arts, not the other way around. I started about 2.5 years ago on a low fat diet, while working exercise into the mix. I lost 80lbs on this program and then hit a major (6 month)plateau. Over a year ago, I started hitting the gym (and increased cardio) quite frequently... Last September I started the Atkins diet (low carb, high fat/protein) and have lost 45lbs since (125lbs total). I am just about at my goal weight (plus extra skin). I'm 5'10, 215lbs with a 36" waist now. I am continuing with my regular exercise schedule (2 days a week on weights, 4-5 days a week on cardio) as well as 3 hours a week at Kempo and 2 hours a week at Jujitsu, now. I felt I needed something physical with goals I could aspire to reach with my new found body.

If you are not exercising and you are also consuming excess calories, you will gain fat. Plain and simple. I'd probably cut the food intake until you can return to your lifting so you'll have less work to do when you start up again. Note: fat will not 'turn into' muscle.

My gym has circuits of the following: Beginner LifeFitness, Beginner Cybex, Cybex Eagle Nautilus Nitro Hammer Strength MTS Plate Load Nautilus Plate Load Hammer Stength I use the complete Hammer MTS circuit for upper body, with a few select machines from the Nautilus Nitro circuit for my lats and chest. I occationally use the tricep and bicep machines from the Cybex Eagle circuit. I just like the feel of the Hammer MTS, plus each arm can be done independantly of the other (one at a time, alternating, etc). Overall, the Nautilus Nitro are ok, I guess... I just prefer the Hammer machines.

Well.. there are always those folks in ANY culture that just have a metabolism to die for (they can eat anything and stay thin). But at least generally speaking, the Atkins answer is pretty close to being right on in my mind. The veggies point is also valid, i think.

The best answer to this is direct from atkinscenter.com... "There are two answers to this question. First, although their diets are high in carbohydrates, they are generally not overly processed and Asian portions tend to be smaller when compared to American portions. Sweets and junk food were not traditionally staples of the diet. Moreover, Asians typically worked outdoors instead of sitting behind desks all day and walked or rode bicycles instead of driving cars, so they were able to burn off the glucose from carbohydrates. If people in Western cultures did the same, they too could remain slim. Unfortunately, as Asian cultures are becoming more Westernized, they too are beginning to suffer from the Western diseases of obesity and diabetes."

Welp.. I signed up and have already had 3 kempo classes. It's actually not too expensive.. especially with their introductory price... $99 for 3 months, including ghi/belt and workbook. It's $65 per month there after (no contract). It's then $20 more per month to cross train in the two jujitsu classes per week. (Though they do blend some jujitsu in the kempo classes). I'll probably end up doing 3 kempo classes and the 2 jujitsu classes per week. (jujitsu immediate follows kempo on two nights, the third kempo I'll just fit in where/when ever I can.) It's been really fun so far.

Being on the Atkins diet myself, I agree that eliminating the startches and processed sugars is key. However, I'm not sure I agree with a once a week fast. This could quite easily put your body into 'starvation' mode which would actually slow your metabolism for a while and be quite counter productive at burning fat. Not to mention the fact that you'll most like be miserable through some of that time and awfully hungry the next day.. at least with me, I could see a binge being very likely. Another point I'd like to stress.. espeically for those of us who have/had a decent amount of fat to lose, is that a diet should be a way of life, not just something you do to lose the weight and then go off of. This is a formula for just gaining everything back as soon as you reach goal and start eating like you were previously. Any diet/eating plan should be something you can LIVE with and adapt to your current weight loss goals (losing, maintaning, body building, etc). On a side note about Atkins (slightly off the topic of the thread, but to prevent any misconceptions about the diet) - The point of the Atkins diet is to keep your blood sugar stable to prevent cravings and spikes/drops in energy levels, and to also keep you satisfied/not hungry by consuming higher levels of proteins and good fats which fill you up faster (consuming less overall calories) and take longer to digest (keeping you satisfied). While fruits are typically off limits (berries are ok, earlier) in the begining stages due to their sugar content (see the point of stable blood sugar), they can eventually be worked back into your diet along with whole grains, beans, brown rice, some pastas, etc, in controlled quantities later on down the road. Veggies are your primary source of carbohydrates (starting at about 20g of carbs (not counting fiber) per day) and gradually increasing the number of carbs to match your current phase (weight loss, pre-maintenance, maintenance). It's definately something that can easily be lived with on a daily basis and isn't a crash diet to quickly drop some weight and then leave you hanging once you reach your goal.

Keep in mind that in many non-westernised Asian cultures that portion sizes are traditionally alot smaller and are also without most western processed/junk foods. Activity levels are typically higher, too. I'm a firm believer in low(er) carb dieting. I'm currently on a modified form of the Atkins diet (more info here: http://www.atkinscenter.com ) on which I've lost 45lbs since september. I also have experience with low fat diets as I lost 80lbs on one prior to starting the low carb diet (125lbs lost thus far with about 10-15 to go til i reach my goal).

To be honest, your diet looks more low fat than low carb to me. I've been on a modified form of the Atkins diet since last september and it's been working very well for me (down 45 pounds since then). Just for reference, the Atkins diet starts you out at 20g of carbs per day (not counting fiber) for the first two weeks, and you slowly increase your carb intake from there. Visit http://www.atkinscenter.com for more details on the diet itself. When I was in the early stages, my typical menu would contain things like: Breakfast: - 2-3 egg omlette, cheese, peppers, onions, mushrooms, - Atkins or other Low Carb meal replacement shake. - Cold cuts, chicken/tuna salad with Low Carb tortillas (latortillafactory.com) - Flax Hot cereal (3tbls flax meal, 3tbls whey protein isolate, 2/3 cup water, artifical sweetner/sugar free maple flavored syrup, cinnamon, pat of butter, 1-3tbls heavy cream) Snacks: - 1oz nuts - slim jims, - jerky (look for no sugar varieties) - cheese, - celery w/ cream cheese Lunch: - Various Salads (grilled chicken, ceasar), - Rotissery Chicken (Boston Market, typically) with grean beans and/or creamed spinach and/or mixed steamed veggies. - Chicken wings (unbreaded, regular or buffalo). - Low Carb meal replacement shakes - Cold cuts, chicken/tuna salad with Low Carb tortillas (latortillafactory.com) Dinner: - Various grilled, fried, broiled meats, fish, shellfish, poultry, pork, etc - Various grilled, fried, broiled, steamed veggies such as broccoli, spinach, asparigus, colliflower, peppers, mushrooms, eggplant, collard greens, salad greens. At least with the Atkins diet, the key is to also get enough (good) fats and protien to keep you satisfied/not hungry, and your blood sugar stable (to prevent cravings and loss of engery). While fats especially are calorie dense, it takes less to satisfy you and you will stay satisfied longer than a larger amount of calories from carbs. Things you may want to avoid: - Many fruits (apples, oranges, others high in sugar, etc)... Strawberries, blueberrues, raspberries are typically OK. - Carrots, butternut squash, other high sugar veggies - White/processed flours, sugars (honey, maple syrup, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, etc). Tomatos and onions should be used in moderation (sugar). Keep in mind, I'm saying all this from a somewhat more strict/structured point of view when it comes to low carb diets. I also have extensive experience with low fat diets, as I lost 80lbs on one prior to starting the low carb diet (125lbs lost total thus far).

Yeah.. I know alot of people will drive conciderable distances to get a good dojo... but it's actually more than I want to drive personally... especially since I'm up early in the morning and the classes are in the evening, I'd get home right around bed time. I'm going to a free trial class tonight at the Kempo/Jujitsu dojo tonight. Come to find out, they will be starting Goju Ryu soon too.

Thanks for all the replies, folks. Just a quick update.. I found a couple of places that do Hapkito which got me all excited, but they both have some draw backs. One that specializes in Hapkito would be a 35 minute drive but is affordable. The other is a TKD place that also does Hapkito 2 classes a week and is a 5 minute drive from work but they are $40/mo more expensive ($99 a month). I'll probably go look at Kempo in the next day or two.. a friend of my wife is 3rd dan at a local dojo that does Kempo with some jujitsu classes a couple nights a week. Perhaps I'll start with the Kempo and then start cross training eventually. The search goes on.

I'm 25 years old, 5'10 220lbs. I am in good/decent physical condition (wide shoulders, fairly muscular/strong, though I'm not totally 'ripped'). I currently run 2-3 miles 3-4 days a week, and do weight training 2 days a week. I have no MA background. My local options are: Kem(n)po Karate (Uechi-Ryu, ShoToKan) TKD Aikido Jujitsu Krav Maga I'm mainly trying to balance my body type with style preferences. The primary things I'm looking to get out of a martial art in order of importance: 1. Physical training (toning, flexability) 2. Spiritual Enlightenment / Mental training 3. Ability to practice alone 4. Self Defence - Sport/tournaments are not important to me. I think currently, Aikido is my front runner... especially because I like one of the local dojos very much and feel I could get alot out of it mentally/spiritually. However, I don't think I'd really get much/anything out of it physically. Perhaps Jujitsu would be better physically? I am really into the throws, locks, and other style aspects of Aikido/jujitsu, but just can't help but think I'd not be satisfying my physical needs/wants... plus training solo/by myself doesn't seem as possible except for the weapons training (which is another plus, for me). TKD would be great physically, but I'm not keen on the emphasis on kicks and sport/tournaments. Solo practice seems quite possible. Karate/Kempo would be more balanced for strikes with hands and feet than TKD, but I'm just not familiar enough with them to guage them mentally/spiritually. They also seem to lack the throws, locks, and weapons that I like so much about Aikido. Physically, these would probably be up to par. Solo practice seems possible. Krav Maga would probably be a decent workout, great for self defense, but isn't really high on the mental/philosophy. Solo practice seems possible. I guess my problem is that I like Aikido alot stylistically, but since the physical aspect is one of the main reasons I want to take up a MA, I fear I may not really be totally happy with it. The other arts seem to be the opposite... they are great physically, but I don't think I'd like the style nearly as much. I think Hapkito would be perfect for me, but there isn't a school in my area that i know of.